One of the most unique approaches to home greenhouses is the one used by Nordic. The company uses double glazed glass for their structures’ sides, thicker polycarbonate glazing than in any other glasshouse for the roof panels, and UPVC instead of aluminum or other more “standard” materials for the frames. The end result is a greenhouse which is better insulated, stronger and more rigid than most competitors’, and virtually maintenance-free. Nordic selects the materials for their greenhouses to withstand our often-harsh winters, and perform just as well in windy coastal and elevated regions. That leads to a unique and very substantial product – as well as one which is quite attractive.

Here are more details on the Nordic Scanline Double Glazed UPVC Greenhouse:

Size and Detailing: This glasshouse is available in two sizes, 8 x 8 (model GH5) and 8 x 10 (model GH7) suitable for a large allotment or any size of home garden. Each model comes standard with two opening (and locking) side windows, and an automatically-opening (and closing) roof vent; almost every other competitive product requires you to buy the opener as an add-on. There’s a single, large door which opens outward and locks securely against the wind.

Frames and Base: The Nordic frames are made of UPVC (the “U” means that it’s “unplasticized,” making the material more rigid than normal PVC) and are quite unusual in greenhouse construction. The best way to visualize this material is by thinking of the vinyl siding commonly used on many houses in the US. It is rigid and strong, requires no maintenance except for an occasional washing, and won’t rot or warp. You can select from six colours (including two very distinctive ones) to fit the look of your property: white, green, black, grey, golden oak and rosewood). No separate base is available for the Scanline Double Glazed UPVC greenhouse; it’s designed to be placed on a concrete slab or pad since its weight will hold it firmly in place. The frames are covered by a five-year warranty.

Glazing: We’ve already mentioned the very different glazing which comes with this glasshouse. It is double-glazed toughened safety glass, which provides outstanding thermal efficiency, lowers heating bills, and is extremely child- and pet-friendly because the glass is very difficult to shatter (and simply breaks into little pieces rather than sharp shards if it does shatter). The roof panels are made from 10mm twin wall polycarbonate – shatterproof, able to bear heavy snow loads, and providing great UV protection for your plants and seedlings.

Options: Nordic doesn’t provide a wide variety of options for their double glazed UPVC models, but the ones they do offer are important ones for many gardeners: an extra roof vent and an extra side vent, each to provide additional ventilation and humidity control; and optional gutters and downpipes which easily connect to the frame.

Nordic Scanline double glazed greenhouses are some of the more expensive structures on the market, but that’s for a good reason. The construction and strength of these glasshouses is first-rate, and they may stand up to inclement or “nordic” weather better than any competitors that we’ve seen.